W.W. Grainger, Inc.

GWW · Industrials

About W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW)

W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a Industrial Distribution company operating in the Industrials sector.

GWW trades on the US stock exchanges (NYSE/NASDAQ) and is classified as a large-cap stock .

Sector
Industrials
Industry
Industrial Distribution

Key Statistics

Current Price
$1,359.17
Market Cap
$64.02B
52-Week High
$1,419.91
52-Week Low
$906.52
Sector
Industrials
Industry
Industrial Distribution

$1,000 Invested in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW)

1 Year
$1,433
+43%
3 Years
$1,992
+99%
5 Years
$3,277
+228%
10 Years
$7,734
+673%
Since IPO
$575,019
+57402%

How much would $1,000 invested in GWW be worth today?

What would $1,000 invested in GWW 1 year ago be worth today?

A $1,000 investment in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) in 2025 would be worth $1,433 as of November 2026, representing a +43.3% total return.

What would $1,000 invested in GWW 3 years ago be worth today?

A $1,000 investment in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) in 2023 would be worth $1,992 as of November 2026, representing a +99.2% total return.

What would $1,000 invested in GWW 5 years ago be worth today?

A $1,000 investment in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) in 2021 would be worth $3,277 as of November 2026, representing a +227.7% total return.

What would $1,000 invested in GWW 10 years ago be worth today?

A $1,000 investment in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) in 2016 would be worth $7,734 as of November 2026, representing a +673.4% total return.

What would $1,000 invested in GWW at IPO be worth today?

A $1,000 investment in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) at IPO would be worth $575,019 as of November 2026, representing a +57401.9% total return.

Monthly Returns Heatmap

Avg Monthly Return
+1.29%
Positive Months
355
55% of 644
Negative Months
285
44% of 644
Data Period
53+ years
644 months
Best Performers
Best month ever: Jan 1975 (+36.0%)
Best month on avg: November (+3.3%)
Worst Performers
Worst month ever: Oct 1987 (-30.1%)
Worst month on avg: September (-0.6%)

Over the past 53+ years (644 months), W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) has averaged a monthly return of +1.29% with a median return of +1.00%. The stock had 355 positive months (55%) and 285 negative months (44%). The best month in GWW's history was January 1975 with a +36.0% return, while the worst was October 1987 at -30.1%. Historically, November tends to be the strongest month (averaging +3.3%), and September the weakest (-0.6%).

GWW's longest winning streak was 6 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 7 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 1991 with a cumulative return of +55.7%, and the worst was 1974 at -58.4%.

Annual Returns

Over 53 years of trading history, W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) has delivered an average annual return of +14.89% with a median return of +15.34%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +12.84%. The stock posted gains in 41 years (77%) and losses in 12 years (23%).

GWW's best year was 1991 with a +65.92% gain, while the worst was 1974 at -49.82%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 9, and the longest losing streak was 1 years. GWW achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 30 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 4 years.

Avg Return
+14.89%
Best Year
1991 (+65.92%)
Worst Year
1974 (-49.82%)
Positive Years
41/53
Year Return Start End
2026 +35.49% $1,003.15 $1,359.17
2025 -3.41% $1,038.59 $1,003.15
2024 +28.21% $810.09 $1,038.59
2023 +50.53% $538.14 $810.09
2022 +8.75% $494.86 $538.14
2021 +28.80% $384.21 $494.86
2020 +22.85% $312.75 $384.21
2019 +22.25% $255.83 $312.75
2018 +21.69% $210.24 $255.83
2017 +4.35% $201.48 $210.24
2016 +17.27% $171.81 $201.48
2015 -18.91% $211.88 $171.81
2014 +1.52% $208.70 $211.88
2013 +28.04% $162.99 $208.70
2012 +9.75% $148.51 $162.99
2011 +37.82% $107.75 $148.51
2010 +45.30% $74.16 $107.75
2009 +25.45% $59.12 $74.16
2008 -8.20% $64.40 $59.12
2007 +27.14% $50.65 $64.40
2006 -0.07% $50.69 $50.65
2005 +8.33% $46.79 $50.69
2004 +42.70% $32.79 $46.79
2003 -6.61% $35.11 $32.79
2002 +8.92% $32.23 $35.11
2001 +33.78% $24.09 $32.23
2000 -22.31% $31.01 $24.09
1999 +16.49% $26.62 $31.01
1998 -13.28% $30.70 $26.62
1997 +22.62% $25.03 $30.70
1996 +22.82% $20.38 $25.03
1995 +16.41% $17.51 $20.38
1994 +1.72% $17.21 $17.51
1993 -2.99% $17.74 $17.21
1992 +12.00% $15.84 $17.74
1991 +65.92% $9.55 $15.84
1990 +4.78% $9.11 $9.55
1989 +21.74% $7.48 $9.11
1988 -7.05% $8.05 $7.48
1987 +37.10% $5.87 $8.05
1986 +15.34% $5.09 $5.87
1985 +36.58% $3.73 $5.09
1984 -6.71% $4.00 $3.73
1983 +14.95% $3.48 $4.00
1982 +44.11% $2.41 $3.48
1981 +7.61% $2.24 $2.41
1980 -7.69% $2.43 $2.24
1979 +15.00% $2.11 $2.43
1978 +3.17% $2.05 $2.11
1977 +5.00% $1.95 $2.05
1976 +20.00% $1.62 $1.95
1975 +43.88% $1.13 $1.62
1974 -49.82% $2.25 $1.13

Frequently Asked Questions: GWW

What sector is GWW in? ▼

GWW operates in the Industrials sector, specifically in the Industrial Distribution industry.

How has GWW performed historically? ▼

Over 53 years of trading history, GWW has posted gains in 41 years (77% of the time). The best year was 1991 with a +65.9% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

How can I invest in GWW? ▼

You can invest in GWW through any brokerage account that offers access to US stock exchanges. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold GWW.

Last updated: 11/1/2026